Due to budget cuts, the IRS will shut down operations for 5 days in 2013.  Unfortunately, one these days is Friday June 14, 2013.  This also happens to be the last working day before the 2012 expat tax filing deadline of Monday June 17 (note the deadline is normally June 15, but, since it falls on a Saturday this year you have until Monday). This is a bit upsetting as this is a major deadline for U.S. persons living overseas.  Can you imagine the craziness if the IRS decided to shut down on April 14, right before the regular tax deadline? 

So if you do need to call the IRS for any reason, do not wait until the last minute this year. Here is another great tip.  Did you know the IRS has a special phone number with extended hours for overseas taxpayers?  Here it is: